Uf Pokes At Politics But It's Just Kidding

GAINESVILLE — University of Florida law students poked fun at the rivalry between Gov. Bob Graham and U.S. Sen. Paula Hawkins in their annual parody of political issues.

The skits performed each year by UF's John Marshall Bar Association have become a tradition at homecoming. More than 300 people, many dressed in orange Gator shirts and golf caps, attended the outdoor production.

In one skit, students portraying Graham and Hawkins attacked each other's leadership abilities to the melody of Sonny and Cher's ''I Got You Babe.''

Graham is expected to challenge Hawkins, R-Winter Park, for her seat in the Senate next year.

In other skits, Graham was nicknamed ''Sparky'' for his tough stand on the death penalty.

But his soft attitude toward Roswell Gilbert, the elderly convicted mercy killer was justified facetiously because the ''old bird looks like Paula.''

Hawkins was kidded throughout the production for her ''every-hair-in- place' ' grooming. She was portrayed as spending a good deal of her time looking for hair spray and hair coloring.

The 21 law students who wrote and acted in the skits also scored with humorous jabs at candidates for governor -- Tampa Mayor Bob Martinez, state Sen. President Harry Johnston, D-Palm Beach, and Steve Pajcic, a former Democratic legislator from Jacksonville.

In one scene, Martinez was chided by Pajcic, played by Greg Colvin of Orlando, for switching from the Democratic to the Republican party.

''So what is it this week Bob,'' Pajcic asked.

The law students got their biggest response during a skit about the problems of former football coach Charlie Pell.

Pell was fired last year after he was charged by the National College Athletic Association with commiting 58 violations of conduct, including spying on opponents' practices.

In a takeoff of the Dr. Ruth Show, the therapist admonished Pell for trying to buy satisfaction.

The scene was one of the most risque, but also one of the loudest applauded.

''If you're easily embarrased, I don't think you should go to these,'' said Conrad Banspach of St. Petersburg, who has been attending the skits since one of his sons entered UF in 1972. His youngest son, Alan, is in law school at the university.

''I think this is the best that I've had,'' he said. ''Others have been more off-color, but this is just for fun.''

President Reagan as the fictional movie tough Rambo who enjoyed cutting social services brought only polite laughter. But Reagan as the bumbling, nearly-deaf elder statesman dependent on wife Nancy to explain issue was a hit.

Third-year law student Jim Carpenter, 26, of Ft. Lauderdale, said the skits provide comic relief for the students and a chance to practice their verbal skills.